10+ ways to help to Charleston-area kids and families this holiday season

Give a little

Hallmark and every classic holiday movie worth its salt touches on the tenet of the holiday season: giving. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, here are a few ways that you can help your community in the next few weeks. Trust us, it feels better than Black Friday:

Are you hosting a fundraising event in the coming weeks that you think we should include? Email all the details to calendar@charlestoncitypaper.com.

Charleston Friends of the Library is looking for volunteers for the 2018 Holiday Book Sat., Thurs., Nov. 29 through Sat., Dec. 1, and needs volunteers and donations of books and other media items.
Charleston Hope supports students and teachers in area Title 1 schools, from providing mentors to their Adopt a Classroom program. This year, all of the classrooms who needed help are already adopted, but they're looking for people to help wrap during their Wrapping Night on Dec. 7.

On Dec. 7 at 7 p.m., head to Low Tide Brewing for their Ugly Sweater Toy Drive and karaoke. Bring a new children's toy or cash donation and receive $1 off all of your beers for the evening. Embarrass yourself with your ugly sweater and some karaoke tunes.

Charleston Beer Runners hosts a Toys for Tots run on Thurs. Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. Meet at the Hampton Park gazebo and donate a toy (of $10 or greater value) for the CBR beer special.

Tiny Tadpoles hosts their annual fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation on Sun. Dec. 9 from 12-4 p.m. Bring $10 and get a picture with Santa.

Enjoy Breakfast with Santa at Kickin' Chicken's Summerville and Mt. Pleasant locations on Dec. 9 and Dec. 15, respectively. All proceeds go to Camp Happy Days and the Charleston Miracle Network.

The third annual Holiday Harvest Gala supports the Charleston Meals on Wheels program with a party in the Cooper River Room from 6-9 p.m.

Help light up MUSC's Urban Farm with a special celebration on Thurs. Nov. 29 from 4-6 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to contribute monetary or gift card donations to the Make a Wish for a STAR program, which provides intensive, comprehensive intervention to children and adolescents who struggle with severe behavior disturbances.

The Mt. Pleasant Chamber Holiday Party, held at Omar Shrine on Thurs. Dec. 6 from 5-7 p.m., invites local businesses to bring unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots (in return you'll get a free drink ticket).